Rochelle Park Police Department using Nixle

The Rochelle Park Police Department has recently joined the dozens of other local law enforcement agencies and municipalities who use the Nixle alert system.

"It's a great resource for getting quick blurbs out into the community," said Rochelle Park Police Chief Robert Flannelly. "It's easy to use, it just gets the information out."

Nixle is an online emergency alert system that sends out brief text messages and emails to residents who sign up for the free service. Messages, sent directly from police headquarters, may give information on accidents, storms, delays, school closings, traffic, water main breaks and missing persons.

Flannelly said that the Rochelle Park Police Department also uses the Swift Reach Reverse 911 system, but they chose to join Nixle because it's "fast and easy."

He added that nearly 400 residents have signed up for the service already, and they're getting positive feedback.

The basic Nixle service is free for police departments and residents who sign up to receive messages.

"That's part of the beauty of it," Flannelly said.

He added that the system is also very secure, and messages will be sent directly from authorities.